1. Introduction Soko Auction (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Platform”) is an online auction marketplace operating at sokoauction.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, create an account, list an item, place a bid, or otherwise use our services. By accessing or using Soko Auction, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data in compliance with Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019, and other applicable data protection laws.

2. Information We Collect We collect information you provide directly to us, such as your name, email address, phone number, physical or delivery address, national ID or business registration details (where required for seller verification), and payment information when you register an account, list an item for auction, place a bid, or complete a purchase. We also automatically collect certain technical information when you use the Platform, including your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and the time and duration of your visit, typically through cookies and similar tracking technologies.

3. How We Use Your Information We use the information we collect to operate and maintain the Platform, process bids and transactions, verify seller and buyer identities, communicate with you about your account, auctions, and orders, prevent fraud and enforce our Terms of Service, respond to customer support inquiries, and improve the functionality and user experience of the site. With your consent, we may also use your contact details to send promotional updates about new auctions, features, or offers, which you can opt out of at any time.

4. Bidding, Listings, and Public Information Certain information is inherently public as part of how an auction marketplace functions. When you place a bid or list an item, your display name, bid amounts, item descriptions, and auction activity may be visible to other users on the Platform. We encourage users not to include sensitive personal information in item listings, descriptions, or public messages, as this information may be viewed by other visitors to the site.

5. Sharing of Information We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with payment processors and financial institutions to complete transactions, delivery or logistics partners to fulfill orders, service providers who support our website hosting, analytics, and customer communications (such as our WordPress and WooCommerce infrastructure providers), and law enforcement or regulatory authorities where required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Soko Auction, our users, or the public. Any third party we share data with is required to handle it securely and only for the purposes we authorize.

6. Data Security and Retention We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures, including encrypted connections and access controls, to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements, after which it is securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Your Rights and Choices Depending on applicable law, you have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data, object to or restrict certain processing of your information, withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time, and request a copy of the personal data you have provided to us in a portable format. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 8. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling certain requests, and some information may be retained where required for legal, accounting, or security purposes.

8. Cookies, Children’s Privacy, Policy Changes, and Contact Information We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how the Platform is used; you can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling them may affect site functionality. Soko Auction is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements, and we will post the revised version on this page with an updated effective date. If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at info@sokoauction.com or [Insert Business Address].